It finally happened. We are deep into the 2026 postseason, and if you're like me, you probably spent at least ten minutes yesterday trying to figure out which random app actually has the rights to the divisional round games. It's getting complicated. Gone are the days when you just flipped to channel 4 and called it a night. Now, we're juggling local affiliates, cable giants, and three different streaming subscriptions just to see a kickoff.
Honestly, the nfl playoff broadcast schedule is more of a treasure map than a list this year. Between Peacock exclusives and the ManningCast, it’s easy to miss a drive while you’re resetting your password. Here is the actual, no-fluff breakdown of how to watch the rest of the road to Super Bowl LX.
The Divisional Round Breakdown
We are currently in the thick of it. If you’re reading this on Sunday, January 18, 2026, you've already seen some absolute chaos. The Denver Broncos just scraped by the Buffalo Bills in an overtime thriller that had Bo Nix fans sweating—though the injury news coming out of Denver is definitely going to play a massive role in the AFC Championship.
Today’s slate is where things get real for the East Coast.
First up, at 3:00 PM ET, we’ve got the Houston Texans heading into Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. This one is a bit unique because while it’s on a Sunday afternoon, it’s being produced as a "Monday Night Football" experience. You’ll find it on ESPN and ABC. If you’re a cord-cutter, ESPN+ is your best bet here, but local fans in Massachusetts can still find it on WCVB-TV Channel 5.
Later tonight, at 6:30 PM ET, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. This is the NBC primetime window. If you don't have a digital antenna or cable, you'll need a Peacock subscription to stream this one. It's also being carried on Telemundo and Universo for Spanish-language viewers.
Championship Sunday: The Final Hurdle
Next week is the big one. Sunday, January 25, 2026, will decide who heads to Santa Clara.
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The AFC Championship Game is scheduled for the early slot at 3:00 PM ET. CBS has the rights to this one. Because it’s on CBS, you can stream it live on Paramount+. It doesn't matter if you have the "Essential" or "Premium" plan; both tiers will carry the live NFL feed, which is a rare win for the budget-conscious fan.
The NFC Championship Game follows at 6:30 PM ET on FOX. This is where the Seattle Seahawks—who sat out the first round as the top seed—will look to defend their home turf. For streaming, you’ll be looking for the Fox One app or a live TV service like YouTube TV or Fubo.
Super Bowl LX: The Grand Finale
Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 8, 2026. Super Bowl LX is going down at Levi's Stadium.
NBC is the official home of the big game this year. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 PM ET, but let’s be honest, the pre-game coverage starts basically at sunrise. If you’re streaming, Peacock is the exclusive home for the digital broadcast.
Where to Find the Games (The Quick List)
I know, it’s a lot to track. Here is the general "who has what" for the 2026 nfl playoff broadcast schedule:
- CBS / Paramount+: Handled the Bills-Broncos divisional game and will air the AFC Championship.
- FOX / Fox One: Carried the 49ers-Seahawks clash and holds the NFC Championship rights.
- NBC / Peacock: This is your home for the Rams-Bears divisional nightcap and the Super Bowl.
- ESPN / ABC / ESPN+: Covered the Texans-Patriots divisional game and the Monday night Wild Card game earlier this month.
- Prime Video: Only had the one exclusive Wild Card game (Packers at Bears), so you can probably pause that subscription if you only got it for football.
Navigating the "Streaming Trap"
Look, I get it. Nobody wants to pay for five services. If you're trying to streamline your 2026 nfl playoff broadcast schedule experience, a live TV streaming service is usually the smartest move. YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV generally carry all the "Big Four" networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC).
However, they don't always include the exclusive digital-only games. For example, if there’s a game only on Peacock or Prime Video, even the most expensive YouTube TV package won't help you.
Always check the local listings if you live in the market of one of the teams playing. Even for "exclusive" streaming games, the NFL usually mandates that the game be broadcast on a local over-the-air channel in the participating teams' home cities. It saves you $10 and a lot of buffering frustration.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you are planning to watch the Championship games next weekend, verify your Paramount+ and Fox One logins now. Most of these services offer a 7-day free trial for new users, which is perfectly timed to cover the AFC/NFC title games if you sign up mid-week. For the Super Bowl on February 8, make sure your Peacock app is updated on your smart TV to avoid last-minute installation delays right before the national anthem.